Moving nuclear waste

Supervisor Jim Desmond

5th District

Last week, I shared what my office has been doing when it comes to public safety. To summarize, we’ve increased our services to ensure North County remains a safe place for everyone. This week, I wanted to share another topic that I will be focused on for 2022. We must find a solution to move nuclear waste at San Onofre.

It is critical for our community, our state, and our country to find a solution for spent nuclear fuel. While the spent fuel at the San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station is safely stored, the intention has always been for a permanent geologic repository so the land, where the generating station sits, can be fully restored, and returned to the Navy. For the past 2 ½ years I have sat on the SONGS’s Community Engagement Panel, participating in quarterly meetings with the public. I am also a participating member of Congressman Mike Levin’s SONGS Taskforce as well.

Last year, the Board of Supervisors unanimously supported participation in a new coalition named Action for Spent Fuel Solutions Now that provides an opportunity for stakeholders, including local governments, business and labor leaders, Native American leaders, environmental groups, and community members to join forces and make offsite spent fuel storage and disposal a priority.

This is a major step to protect our region and find a solution for SONGS. I will keep you updated with our efforts and if you have any questions, please reach out, [email protected].